Mass animal burial claims ignite outrage in Ankara amid stray dogs law debate

While the new law on stray animals, which has been the subject of debate in Türkiye recently, has been adopted, allegations of an animal cemetery from Ankara have become a new topic of discussion.

According to reports, in Ankara’s Altindag district, 11 deceased dogs were discovered near an animal shelter, prompting a response from local authorities.

Following the circulation of images related to the incident on social media by animal rights activists, a protest was held outside the Altindag Municipality Veterinary Affairs Directorate. The protesters expressed their outrage over the situation.

Local gendarmerie teams have secured the area surrounding both the building and the site where the dead dogs were found.

Veterinarian Elif Turker, representing the animal rights activists, reported that the bodies of 11 dogs were uncovered during their inspection. Turker voiced strong concerns about the deaths and pledged to uncover the cause.

Investigation initiated

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the discovery of the deceased animals near the shelter.

During the investigation, Altindag Municipality’s Director of Veterinary Affairs stated that their management of stray animals adheres to Law No. 5199 on the Protection of Animals. The director denied claims circulating on social media that the incident constituted a “mass animal slaughter,” explaining that the animals had been collected over different times and included not only dogs but also cats and small livestock. The director noted that there are photos documenting the removal of the dead animals, which will be used as evidence.

The director defended the legality of all procedures at the temporary shelter, highlighting that the animals involved were strays and that the local authorities are responsible for their handling. The municipality, according to the director, ensures the proper collection and disposal of dead animals and waste following complaints.

Allegations of ‘massacre’

The investigation remains ongoing, with efforts to collect statements and evidence continuing.

Altindag Municipality stated that the area mentioned in the news is the “animal cemetery” near the municipality’s 5,000 square meter, 150-capacity temporary care home.

“This cemetery is an area where stray animals that die naturally and/or die due to traffic accidents or infection in our neighborhoods within the borders of Altindag are buried,” the statement said.

Altindag Municipality also claimed that the news that was publicized as a “massacre” was completely baseless.

Allegations from Nigde

On the other hand, a similar incident took place in Nigde recently. On social media and news reports, it was claimed that the animals in the shelter in Nigde were killed and buried in a mass graveyard.

In a statement made by Nigde Municipality, it was noted that the images belong to the animal cemetery and said, “The procedures carried out are completely in accordance with the law and conscience.”

Tugba Gursoy, head of the Ankara Bar Association Animal Rights Commission, filed a criminal complaint to the prosecutor’s office regarding the allegations.